A tragic incident occurred at the Detian waterfall in Southern China on Saturday when the ‘Magic Carpet’ ride, a popular attraction, malfunctioned, leading to the death of one tourist and injuring 60 others. According to the Straits Times, the ride, which is a conveyor belt designed to transport visitors uphill while they enjoy the view, unexpectedly reversed direction at 1:56 pm. This caused passengers to be thrown downhill and collide with one another.
Emergency services quickly arrived to assist the injured, many of whom were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The attraction has been temporarily closed, and the scenic area has been shut down. Visitors who had booked tickets online will receive full refunds through the original purchase platform.
A witness who was on the Magic Carpet ride shared her distressing experience on social media. In an interview with the Global Times, she described how the conveyor belt was moving upward when the accident happened, with passengers seated only two feet apart.
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She said, ”It suddenly stopped and started sliding down. The crowd in front and behind collided due to inertia and piled up together. The safety panels on both sides were also broken at that time.”
Another witness recounted how her mobile phone was thrown from her hands as the ride abruptly descended backward, causing her multiple abrasions.
Following the incident, the Detian Waterfall attraction’s management issued a statement offering their “deepest condolences” to the deceased’s family and apologizing to the injured.
The tragedy has sparked concerns about the safety of tourist attractions in China, prompting an inquiry to investigate the cause of the malfunction.
The Detian Waterfall, a large transnational waterfall straddling the border between China and Vietnam, is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty and draws visitors from both countries.
In January 2023, the ride had a similar malfunction, raising safety concerns. Although it caused some injuries, there were no serious issues, and the ride was quickly repaired and resumed operation within two hours.
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